Mail carriers will collect food to help Crisis Ministry

Published: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 4:22 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 4:22 p.m.

"Stamp Out Hunger" ranks as the largest, single-day food drive in the nation and one of the easiest ways to make a difference in the community, said city route letter carrier Jeff Koontz.

Facts

WANT TO DONATE?

The 'Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive' will take place May 11. Individuals can leave nonperishable food items by their mailbox, front door or in the mailbox, if it fits. Food will be donated to Crisis Ministry of Davidson County.

He challenges the residents of Davidson County to participate May 11 when letter carriers join others around the United States to collect bags of donated food along their mail routes. The National Association of Letter Carriers sponsors the drive.

"One bag at a time makes all the difference. No one can do it by themselves," Koontz said. "That's why we need everybody to donate. You don't know if you're helping a woman, man, child or family. Pride comes from the donations people give. It's not just my pride. It's the community's pride. There's not one individual that can do it alone. … it's a community effort."

The nonperishable food items can be placed by mailboxes. Koontz said the donated food needs to be placed in a paper bag that has been or will be delivered this week in the mail. The food will be sorted by volunteers.

Food collected will benefit Crisis Ministry. The nonprofit organization operates an adult and family homeless shelter, food and clothing pantries and other services for the homeless.

"I see where the need is. On the routes I know people this drive is helping. I'm glad Crisis Ministry is there to help. It's such a good feeling when I pick it up. My heart goes to the people who receive it and donate it," Koontz said.

Jessica Harris recently went to Crisis Ministry to receive food assistance for herself and four elementary-age children. She was referred there by the Department of Social Services after her food stamps on her Electronic Benefit Transfer card were delayed and then she only received half of her monthly amount.

Harris encouraged individuals to donate to the drive because she said it helps families that end up in a predicament such as herself. The single mother works part time. As a way to give back, her family decided to save pennies to donate to the agency's "Pennies From Heaven — Spare Change, Changing Lives" campaign.

"They were very helpful and very nice," she said. "I really don't know what I would have done. This really helped me. I'm just glad they're there, especially for families that are worse off than mine."

Another resident, Tenna Byerly, receives food from the pantry every month. She also receives food assistance from the government, but it doesn't last the whole month for her family. Byerly is on disability, and her husband was laid off from work.

"They have been a big help," she said. "It's easier to go where you know you can and not have to wait in line. They are a good service. They have always been good and willing to share."

Last year 35,000 pounds of food was collected in Davidson County.

"The people that are able, please give," Byerly said. "There's people out here that need help. There is always someone that's worse off than you."

Even though last year's amount of food donated surpassed previous years, Koontz said, it's still not enough. He noted that amount did not go far because so many families were in need. He said the food pantry at Crisis Ministry is bare right now.

"It's depressing," he said. "I know there's no way they can help people at this time. That's why we need the community's help."

Gayle Whitehead, executive director of Crisis Ministry, noted this drive helps them maintain food through the summer. She said within the last year they have seen an increase in requests.

"This is the biggest (drive)," she said. "We just need people to help us. We're seeing more people. It's not all the same people. We have a lot of different people."

The agency is seeing more than 500 families each month including seniors. Whitehead said they are in desperate need of sugar, crackers and cereals. She noted they cannot take expired food.

"We appreciate everything the community does and what the postal workers do. They work hard that day. It's just great. It's unbelievable how generous the community is. It's just awesome," Whitehead said.

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>"Stamp Out Hunger" ranks as the largest, single-day food drive in the nation and one of the easiest ways to make a difference in the community, said city route letter carrier Jeff Koontz.</p><p>He challenges the residents of Davidson County to participate May 11 when letter carriers join others around the United States to collect bags of donated food along their mail routes. The National Association of Letter Carriers sponsors the drive.</p><p>"One bag at a time makes all the difference. No one can do it by themselves," Koontz said. "That's why we need everybody to donate. You don't know if you're helping a woman, man, child or family. Pride comes from the donations people give. It's not just my pride. It's the community's pride. There's not one individual that can do it alone. … it's a community effort."</p><p>The nonperishable food items can be placed by mailboxes. Koontz said the donated food needs to be placed in a paper bag that has been or will be delivered this week in the mail. The food will be sorted by volunteers.</p><p>Food collected will benefit Crisis Ministry. The nonprofit organization operates an adult and family homeless shelter, food and clothing pantries and other services for the homeless.</p><p>"I see where the need is. On the routes I know people this drive is helping. I'm glad Crisis Ministry is there to help. It's such a good feeling when I pick it up. My heart goes to the people who receive it and donate it," Koontz said.</p><p>Jessica Harris recently went to Crisis Ministry to receive food assistance for herself and four elementary-age children. She was referred there by the Department of Social Services after her food stamps on her Electronic Benefit Transfer card were delayed and then she only received half of her monthly amount. </p><p>Harris encouraged individuals to donate to the drive because she said it helps families that end up in a predicament such as herself. The single mother works part time. As a way to give back, her family decided to save pennies to donate to the agency's "Pennies From Heaven — Spare Change, Changing Lives" campaign.</p><p>"They were very helpful and very nice," she said. "I really don't know what I would have done. This really helped me. I'm just glad they're there, especially for families that are worse off than mine."</p><p>Another resident, Tenna Byerly, receives food from the pantry every month. She also receives food assistance from the government, but it doesn't last the whole month for her family. Byerly is on disability, and her husband was laid off from work.</p><p>"They have been a big help," she said. "It's easier to go where you know you can and not have to wait in line. They are a good service. They have always been good and willing to share."</p><p>Last year 35,000 pounds of food was collected in Davidson County. </p><p>"The people that are able, please give," Byerly said. "There's people out here that need help. There is always someone that's worse off than you."</p><p>Even though last year's amount of food donated surpassed previous years, Koontz said, it's still not enough. He noted that amount did not go far because so many families were in need. He said the food pantry at Crisis Ministry is bare right now.</p><p>"It's depressing," he said. "I know there's no way they can help people at this time. That's why we need the community's help."</p><p>Gayle Whitehead, executive director of Crisis Ministry, noted this drive helps them maintain food through the summer. She said within the last year they have seen an increase in requests. </p><p>"This is the biggest (drive)," she said. "We just need people to help us. We're seeing more people. It's not all the same people. We have a lot of different people."</p><p>The agency is seeing more than 500 families each month including seniors. Whitehead said they are in desperate need of sugar, crackers and cereals. She noted they cannot take expired food.</p><p>"We appreciate everything the community does and what the postal workers do. They work hard that day. It's just great. It's unbelievable how generous the community is. It's just awesome," Whitehead said.</p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>